Last month marked the 110th anniversary of the opening of the Race Methodist Church on Blaendare Road in Pontypool.

The Race church is one of two remaining ‘tin churches’ in Pontypool - which were once a very common sight in the Valleys but now extremely rare. Despite that, we have two here in our town The Race and St Matthew's - just a road length apart.

Prior to its opening in June 1911, the necessary funds needed to build The Race Methodist Church were raised by the persevering commitment of the local people.

The church, having stood for so long as a result of the hard work of volunteers and the local community, is now again in need of funds in order to keep up with vital maintenance.

To contribute to this effort, Torfaen Museum is selling the church’s republished booklet produced in 2011 on the church’s centenary.

This booklet contains much about the history of the church including: its efforts in contributing to the fight against forest fires during the heat wave of the summer of 1976; the church’s five-a-side Welsh Cup win in 1962; its community aid during a 1925 flood, and much more.

The booklet costs just £4 and all proceeds will go directly to the church. You can pick up your copy at Torfaen Museum.

This Nostalgia article is researched and written by Torfaen Museum volunteer Lewis Griffiths.